New Ebola Outbreak Confirmed In Congo’s Ituri Province, 65 Dead And 246 Suspected
An Ebola outbreak in Congo’s Ituri province has caused 65 deaths and 246 suspected infections.
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in the country’s northeastern Ituri province, where at least 65 people have died and 246 suspected cases have been reported. The outbreak was officially confirmed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), raising renewed concerns about the spread of the deadly virus in a region already facing humanitarian and security challenges.
According to Africa CDC, the outbreak is primarily concentrated in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, while additional suspected infections have also been identified in Bunia, the provincial capital located near the Ugandan border. Preliminary laboratory testing confirmed Ebola in several samples collected from patients, though health officials said further genetic sequencing is underway to determine the exact strain involved. Early indications suggest the outbreak may involve a strain different from the Zaire variant commonly associated with previous epidemics in the region.
The rapid increase in suspected infections has prompted emergency coordination efforts between Congolese authorities and neighbouring countries, including Uganda and South Sudan. Africa CDC said it is working with international health agencies and humanitarian partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance, improve infection prevention measures, and mobilise medical resources to contain the outbreak before it spreads further.
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Health experts have expressed concern over the difficult conditions in Ituri province, where armed conflict, poor infrastructure, and high population mobility continue to complicate emergency response efforts. Mining activities in affected areas have increased movement between communities, while insecurity caused by armed groups has made contact tracing and safe burial operations more challenging. Officials warned that the proximity of affected zones to international borders could heighten the risk of regional transmission.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified near the Ebola River in 1976. This latest outbreak marks the country’s 17th recorded epidemic and comes only months after another Ebola outbreak was declared over in late 2025. Ebola is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials, with symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and, in severe cases, internal bleeding.
Public health authorities have urged residents in affected communities to report symptoms promptly and cooperate with medical teams conducting surveillance and treatment operations. International agencies, including the World Health Organization and regional health bodies, are expected to expand support efforts as the DRC attempts to prevent the outbreak from escalating into a wider regional health emergency.
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